Why are the California wildfires unstoppable?

California is grappling with a series of devastating wildfires that have swept through the Los Angeles area, claiming at least 11 lives, displacing thousands, and causing widespread destruction to homes and businesses.

Investigators and fire officials are piecing together the causes of these fires, which have been exacerbated by extreme weather and strained resources.

What sparked the fires?

Multiple wildfires have erupted across Los Angeles County, with the most notable being the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Kenneth Fires. Each fire has its own story, yet their origins remain under investigation:

Palisades fire: This fire broke out on a brushy hillside in Temescal Gateway Park, a region with underground power lines maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP), reported San Francisco Chronicle. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley noted that while rumours abound regarding its cause, no conclusive evidence has emerged.

Eaton fire: Near Altadena, this fire began close to high-voltage transmission lines operated by Southern California Edison (SCE). Despite preemptive de-energisation efforts on some lines, others remained active. SCE has stated there were no recorded anomalies before the fire but continues to review the circumstances.

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Hurst fire: In Sylmar, the Hurst Fire ignited near SCE transmission facilities. While the company is conducting an investigation, no direct connection has been made between its equipment and the fire.

Kenneth fire: This fire, which began near Calabasas, is still under scrutiny. A suspect was detained on unrelated probation violations but has not been charged with arson.

John Lentini, a prominent fire investigation expert, highlighted the importance of pinpointing the origin of each blaze: “These were small fires once. Determining where and how they started is critical to understanding the bigger picture.”

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Lightning strikes, utility malfunctions, and arson are being examined as possible ignition sources, though none have been confirmed.

Why can’t the fires be controlled?

The wildfires have proved exceptionally difficult to contain due to a combination of environmental, logistical, and infrastructure challenges:

Extreme weather conditions

Record-breaking heat and powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts exceeding 100 mph, have fuelled the fires and pushed them across vast areas at alarming speeds. These winds not only spread the flames but also hinder aerial firefighting operations.

Southern California’s unique climate has played a significant role in the rapid spread and intensity of these fires. Last winter’s torrential rains spurred lush vegetation growth, which dried into tinder under the heat of a record-breaking summer.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, described this phenomenon as “weather whiplash” in a study published in Nature journal explaining how the alternating cycles of wet and dry conditions amplified wildfire risks.

“This whiplash sequence in California has increased fire risk twofold: first, by greatly increasing the growth of flammable grass and brush in the months leading up to fire season, and then by drying it out to exceptionally high levels with the extreme dryness and warmth that followed,” said Swain, who co-authored Thursday’s study.

Overwhelmed water systems

Firefighters in regions like Pacific Palisades and Altadena faced empty hydrants and diminishing water pressure. Power outages disrupted pumps essential for maintaining water flow, leaving crews scrambling for resources.

Martin Adams, former general manager of the DWP, acknowledged the shortcomings of the existing infrastructure. “Our system was never designed to fight a wildfire that engulfs entire communities,” he told LA Times.

Gravity-fed storage tanks in high-elevation neighborhoods were quickly drained, and maintenance outages in nearby reservoirs compounded the crisis.

Resource limitations

The sheer scale of the fires has stretched firefighting teams and equipment to their limits. With multiple blazes occurring simultaneously, resources had to be divided, reducing the effectiveness of containment efforts.

“It’s going to burn until it runs out of fuel or the weather changes,” Lentini told AP. “There’s no way to completely stop these fires under these conditions.”

How these fires are part of a broader crisis

California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an independent investigation into the failures of the state’s water and power systems during the fires, calling the situation “deeply troubling.” Experts warn that such events are becoming increasingly common as climate change transforms California’s landscape and weather patterns.

“There’s no fire season anymore,” Governor Newsom remarked. “It’s year-round in the state of California.” He stated the need for immediate investments in climate resilience and infrastructure upgrades to address the growing threat.

Proposed measures include expanding water storage capacity, modernising pipelines, and creating backup power systems to ensure reliable service during emergencies. However, these efforts face significant financial and logistical challenges.

For now, the focus remains on controlling the fires, providing relief to affected families, and learning lessons from this disastrous chapter in California’s history.

With inputs from agencies